Help! I broke something in the rear parking brake...

[TrekboxX]

Hey all. I was trying to replace a rear broken lug using the FAQ's... As I was pulling the rotor by turning in the 2 hijacked bolts from the radiator, something inside (parking brake guts, I'm sure) snapped and fell inside the rotor. I completely disconnected the parking brake, but can't seem to get the rotor all the way off. The bolts I'm using to pull the rotor are fully seated and the rotor seems to be getting tighter. I know I've jacked up the internals, but I can't get to them to fix it. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Sandroad]

A good guess is that the brake bell cranks are frozen so the shoes are not releasing enough to provide clearance for rotor/drum removal. You may have broken the shoes/attachments with the force of the rotor/drum removal bolts.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/611391-chemistry-your-parking-brake-bell-cranks.html

Can you try longer removal bolts? Can you spray some PB Blaster in there to loosen up the stuck parts? Can you get the rotor/drum off far enough to get at the shoes and pry them back? Is there a shoe adjuster that will works?

 

[TrekboxX]

Thanks for the reply. I finally got it off. Put it all the way back on, and banged the hell out of it with a rubber mallet. Spun the adjuster until it wouldn't go any more, and it came off. I did jack up the parking brake mechanism. One of the parking pads is loose and is not sitting in it's place. Problem is, it's hard to tell which bits need replacing, they all look ok, but it just doesn't sit right. Hope it won't be too expensive!

All this cause some "factory trained" moron just loves his impact!

Thanks again. Off to find a parking brake mechanism...

 

[Trunk Monkey]

What parts were laying in the rotor when you took it off, that would be a good indicator of what you need. Or maybe nothing broke and just the springs let go.

 

[TrekboxX]

One of the pin springs and retainer. Pin ripped right through the retainer. Also, the other side pin (the one that is bent sorta s-shaped) was stretched out. Got the retainer and pin bent back in shape. It will hold until I can get a replacement.

Next time I'll just use the FAQ's for inspiration, and consult the fsm for proper procedure....

Thanks again.

 

[Gottagetone]

Did you adjust the parking brake tensioner? If thats even a bit tight you will not be able to pull the rotor.

 

[TrekboxX]

Yes, I figured that out after messing it up!

 

[Gottagetone]

That's a fun lesson....kinda feels like beating your head agains a wall until you figure it out then you feel even worse...

 

[TrekboxX]

Absolutely. Two good things came from it- I learned a bit more about the pig, and I will be replacing the parking brakes- they look pretty rough.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

You may not need to replace the pads, they have very little material on them new, so don't think they're worn when that's how they are.